Home > Graduate Home >Master of Education in Reading and English as a Second Language Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions Procedures and Notification

How can I verify that all my admissions documents have been received by the Office of Graduate Programs?

You may contact the Office of Graduate Programs (214.333.5242) to verify that all of your documents have been received. If everything has not been received, they will be able to tell you what is lacking.

Once I have submitted everything required, how will I know if I am accepted?

Once the Master's Degrees Admission Committee (MDAC) has met and reviewed your application, you will be notified by either the Office of Graduate Programs, your Program Director, or, often, both!

What is the Master's Degrees Admission Committee (MDAC)?

The Master's Degrees Admission Committee consists of faculty from across the university who meet regularly to review applications from perspective students. They make the decision if a student is admitted, admitted provisionally, deferred, or denied.

Who is the Program Coordinator for the Master of Education in Reading and English as a Second Language?

Carolyn Spain is the Program Director for the Master of Education in Reading and English as a Second Language. She can be reached at 214.333.5217 or carolyns@dbu.edu.

The Statement of Purpose serves as your writing sample for the admission process and consists of several questions which help you put your goals into words and to explain why you wish to come to DBU.

Who can I ask to do my Letters of Recommendation?

Applicants often ask coworkers, supervisors, pastors, community leaders, or anyone else they feel knows their work habits well.

What transcripts must I provide?

You must supply all your previous transcripts. If you ever took a single course at a college, you must provide an official transcript from that college.

What is the minimum undergraduate GPA that Dallas Baptist University will accept?

Students applying to DBU are encouraged to have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Do I have to take the GRE?

Yes. Continuance in the program beyond the first six hours requires satisfactory scores on the Verbal and Quantitative or Analytical Writing sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The program director will have additional information about score requirements.

Usually. You will need to submit prior transcripts to your Program Director for review and evaluation within the first semester of enrollment.

What is the maximum number of graduate credits I can transfer from another university?

12 semester credit hours of acceptable course work are the limit that most universities, including DBU, will accept as transfer credit towards a master's degree.

How would I find out if credits I have taken at another university will be accepted at Dallas Baptist University?

You should make an appointment with your Program Director /Coordinator for advising and bring official transcripts for review and evaluation. This should occur during your first semester at DBU.

How old can my previous graduate credit be?

We prefer graduate credits not be over 5 years old and certainly not over 10 years old. All students who wish to transfer credits into DBU should make an appointment to discuss this with their Program Director/Coordinator during their first semester at DBU.

A cohort is a group of students who progress through their program together.

Do the cohorts take all of their classes in their districts?

All cohort students must obtain at least 6 hours either on the main campus, DBU North, or DBU Hurst-Colleyville. The choice of when to do this occurs as a mutual decision between the cohort itself and the Program Director/Coordinator. These 6 hours are referred to as the Residency Requirement.

What are the pros of being in a cohort?

Students participating in a cohort experience a support system throughout their program as well as in the work place after graduation. They get to know each other in an in-depth manner and share life experiences.

Cohort students, with advice from their Program Director/Coordinator, plan the course of study and decide the appropriate time, duration, and location of classes.

Students in a cohort receive a university scholarship which amounts to 1/3 of their tuition per semester for courses they take with the cohort.

What are the cons of being in a cohort?

In some instances a student may have transferred a course that the cohort wants to take during a certain semester. That could leave this student either without something to take or stepping out of the cohort to take a class in the regular program. The cohort scholarship does not apply to courses taken outside the cohort.

You cannot "pick and chose" which courses you want to take each semester on your own. You must make a mutual decision with your cohort.

Are their financial advantages to being in a cohort?

Definitely! All cohort students receive a university scholarship which amounts to 1/3 of their tuition per semester.

Can there ever be additional cohorts?

We are experiencing very rapid growth. Discussions are underway at this time regarding potential new cohort groups which could begin soon.

Can I join a cohort already in existence?

Some cohorts are an eclectic group of students not sponsored by a specific school district and are open to new members each semester. However, there are some closed cohorts which are designed to be restricted to employees of that particular school district with district administrative approval.

As new cohorts develop they will be added to this web site and to the schedule of classes with appropriate information.

DBU is a private university. Isn't it much more expensive than a state university?

Since the Texas Legislature deregulated state tuition, universities have raised their tuition rates significantly. Graduate students, particularly, should exercise a "shop before you buy" mentality. You will be pleasantly surprised at what you find!

Can I apply for Financial Aid as a graduate student?

Yes! We strongly encourage all students to apply for Financial Aid through our university Financial Aid Department, (214).333.5363

Upon admission you will contact your Program Director/Coordinator who will advise you and help you get registered.

Why is there such importance placed on student advising at DBU? Why can't I just register on my own?

At Dallas Baptist University great importance is placed on the relationship between the student and their Program Director/Coordinator. This individual attention and mentoring helps the student obtain correct information, assures that things occur in a proper manner, and guarantees that every student has someone who knows them by name, understands their individual situations, and prays for them. The strong emphasis on student advising at DBU is one of our greatest strengths.

Can I register online?

As a newly admitted student, you cannot register online. It is particularly important that as a new student you receive individual attention from your Program Director/Coordinator. After your initial registration you will be able to register online, if desired, after personal or virtual advising from your Program Director/Coordinator and your first semester grades are posted.

If I am already a student at DBU can I register online after my first registration?

After your initial registration you will be able to register online, if desired, after personal or virtual advising from your Program Director and your first semester grades are posted.

Are there other ways for me to register?

All students have the option of meeting directly with their Program Director for advising and registration in person.

In what ways can I take Masters in Education classes at Dallas Baptist University?

Students at DBU have multiple opportunities to take advantage of unique and flexible scheduling to meet the needs of working adults. These include regularly scheduled night classes, Weekend Professional classes, mini-term courses, hybrid, and online courses.

Can I take various types of these classes in the same semester?

As a DBU student you can put together many combinations of courses to accommodate your schedule. This is determined each semester with your Program Director/Coordinator.

How can I find out about online, hybrid, Weekend Professional, mini-term, and other unique scheduling opportunities for a specific semester at DBU?

Each semester the university publishes schedules of all our offerings. These are also posted online. In addition, sometimes classes are added and others can fill up quickly. It is always important to consult with your Program Director/Coordinator for current availability.

The Master of Education in Reading and English as a Second Language is not a completely online program, although many of the courses are offered online. However, a student can obtain their entire Masters of Education in Educational Leadership online.

Yes. The Application to Graduate starts the audit process that reveals which graduation requirements have been met and which are lacking.

Applications are available on the DBU website (download and print from (www.dbu.edu/registrar) or you may pick up a copy from the main office at the Registrar's Office and at DBU North, and DBU Hurst-Colleyville. You will note that the application to graduate must be signed by your Program Director. You may schedule an appointment with your Program Director and/or fax the completed application to 214.333.5551. If you have any additional questions, please contact your Program Director at 214.333.5200.

In addition to my coursework, are there additional requirements which I must fulfill to obtain my Master of Education in Reading and English as a Second Language from Dallas Baptist University?

Yes. All degree-seeking graduate students within the College of Education are required to prepare and present a professional portfolio to the Educator Preparation Board.

What is a portfolio?

The portfolio is an organized set of artifacts that reflects a snapshot of your total graduate experience at Dallas Baptist University. It will reflect your educational philosophy and connect the things you have learned in theory to actual practice.

What assistance is available to assist students in preparing their portfolios?

During the fall and spring semesters, a portfolio workshop will be publicized. Portfolio Manual is also available to assist students in the development and organization of their portfolios. The Portfolio Manual can also be accessed through the web: Portfolio Handbook

What is the Educator Preparation Board?

The Educator Preparation Board is a group of experienced and widely successful educators who serve as the College of Education Master Programs Advisory Board. Practicing teachers, administrators, consultants, Educational Regional Service Center personnel as well as DBU professors and administrators comprise the EPB and volunteer their time for this highly selective process. It is an honor to serve on the EPB.

Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) Reading Specialist, Master Reading Teacher, and English as a Second Language

Will I be required to take a TExES examination for state certification?

Reading Specialist Certificate

Yes. Teachers may add the Reading Specialist Certificate to their existing valid credential upon completion of a master's degree with sufficient coursework in literacy, two year's acceptable classroom teaching experience, and after passing the Reading Specialist TExES examination.

Students will enroll in a Reading Specialist seminar (READ 5011) during their final semester at DBU that will help them to prepare for this examination.

Students must receive a minimum score of 85 on the DBU practice test for this examination in order to be cleared to register for the state examination.

Master Reading Teacher Certificate

To qualify for the Master Reading Teacher Certificate, teachers must complete nine graduate semester credit hours in literacy. Whether an individual is required to take the TExES examination or not for this certification depends upon certain qualifications:

If the candidate has taught for three years and holds a Reading Specialist Certificate, the candidate will NOT need to take the TExES examination for the Master Reading Teacher certification. In order to apply for the Master Reading Teacher Certification the candidate must:

complete the required coursework (nine graduate hours in literacy)

send verification to the Program Director/Coordinator in DBU's College of Education indicating that the individual holds a Reading Specialist Certificate and has 3 years of valid teaching experience.

If the candidate has not taught for three years or does not hold the Reading Specialist Certificate the candidate will need to take the Master Reading Teacher TExES examination in order to add this certification.

Students will enroll in a Master Reading Teacher seminar (READ 5010) during their final semester at DBU (or after completing the nine hours of graduate coursework in literacy) that will help them to prepare for this examination.

Students must receive a minimum score of 85 on the DBU practice test for this examination in order to be cleared to register for the state examination.

English as a Second Language Certification /

Endorsement

Yes. Teachers must take the English as a Second Language (ESL) TExES examination in order to add this certification to their existing credential for state certification.

However, individuals may receive the DBU ESL Advanced Certificate by completing only the ESL coursework and not the state certification test. For more information on DBU's ESL Program click here.